The high school basketball season is approaching the playoffs and soon many players will seek out the traveling teams and summer leagues. But school won't be out for the summer if you plan to play for the AAU Coastal Crew Rebels.
"We plan to be doing a lot of traveling this season, but the main thing that is different this year is that the older players (juniors and seniors) must have already taken their SAT and ACT so the college coaches can take a look at their transcripts in addition to their playing skills," St. James Sports Center Director and Rebels coach Ernie Walthour said. "They need to have that completed before they can start to travel and play along with our team."
Walthour said the team is stressing academics because it is a vital statistic that college recruiters and universities are looking at when searching for new players.
"You can be the greatest basketball player, but if you don't have the scores to get in you may be left out," he said. "We have a lot of kids that we can potentially get signed this year and also next year so that is why we are stressing the academic side. Our first tournament is in Orlando for the 16- and 17-year-old teams March 23-25. It is the Eastern Classic, which is also a qualifier for the Nationals. The college coaches want to see their transcripts. The number one route to get into college is your transcripts and scores."
Stressing academics is something that the NCAA is pushing this season when it changed the core course requirements needed to get into Division I and II colleges and universities.
Starting Aug. 1, 16 core courses will be required for NCAA Division I and 14 core courses are required in NCAA Division II.
Walthour said the Rebels will travel to many states this summer and the potential for college scouts at the various tournaments is likely.
In addition to Orlando they are set to play at Georgia Tech May 9-11 along with Myrtle Beach, Daytona and Tennessee.
"The exposures for the scouts happens more for our 16U and 17-year-old teams," he said.
Walthour said the 16U team has about seven players returning from last year and his 17 and over team has about eight. That means there are a few spots open on those squads, as well as seeking talent for the 13U and 15U squads.
"We always have room for a 7-foot player," he said. "We are looking for a good post guy and a good power forward."
The Rebels are predominately from Liberty County but have a few players from Long and Wayne counties and Savannah. The 13U squad is coached by Derrick Brooks. Darrell West coaches the 15U. The 16U is coached by Mike Brown. And the 17 and over team are handled by Walthour.
There will be tryouts for the AAU league on May 1-2. Juniors and senior are required to bring their transcripts. Everyone must provide proof of age with a birth certificate or other documentation. The tryouts will be at the St. James Sports Center on both days.
Tryout dates
May 1
13U 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
15U 1:30-4 p.m.
16U 4:30-6:30 p.m.
May 2
17 and over
3 p.m.
Juniors and seniors must bring academic transcripts. All athletes must show proof of age. For more information call Ernie Walthour at 884-3016 or 980-4559.
For your information:
Division I 16 Core Course Rule
4 years of English
3 years of math (Algebra I or higher)
2 years of natural/physical science
1 year of additional English, math or natural/physical science
2 years of social science
4 years of additional courses (from any of the above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy).
Division II 14 Core Course rule
3 years of English
2 years of math (Algebra I or higher)
2 years of natural/physical science
2 years of additional English, math or natural/physical science
2 years of social science
3 years of additional courses (from any of the above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy).
"We plan to be doing a lot of traveling this season, but the main thing that is different this year is that the older players (juniors and seniors) must have already taken their SAT and ACT so the college coaches can take a look at their transcripts in addition to their playing skills," St. James Sports Center Director and Rebels coach Ernie Walthour said. "They need to have that completed before they can start to travel and play along with our team."
Walthour said the team is stressing academics because it is a vital statistic that college recruiters and universities are looking at when searching for new players.
"You can be the greatest basketball player, but if you don't have the scores to get in you may be left out," he said. "We have a lot of kids that we can potentially get signed this year and also next year so that is why we are stressing the academic side. Our first tournament is in Orlando for the 16- and 17-year-old teams March 23-25. It is the Eastern Classic, which is also a qualifier for the Nationals. The college coaches want to see their transcripts. The number one route to get into college is your transcripts and scores."
Stressing academics is something that the NCAA is pushing this season when it changed the core course requirements needed to get into Division I and II colleges and universities.
Starting Aug. 1, 16 core courses will be required for NCAA Division I and 14 core courses are required in NCAA Division II.
Walthour said the Rebels will travel to many states this summer and the potential for college scouts at the various tournaments is likely.
In addition to Orlando they are set to play at Georgia Tech May 9-11 along with Myrtle Beach, Daytona and Tennessee.
"The exposures for the scouts happens more for our 16U and 17-year-old teams," he said.
Walthour said the 16U team has about seven players returning from last year and his 17 and over team has about eight. That means there are a few spots open on those squads, as well as seeking talent for the 13U and 15U squads.
"We always have room for a 7-foot player," he said. "We are looking for a good post guy and a good power forward."
The Rebels are predominately from Liberty County but have a few players from Long and Wayne counties and Savannah. The 13U squad is coached by Derrick Brooks. Darrell West coaches the 15U. The 16U is coached by Mike Brown. And the 17 and over team are handled by Walthour.
There will be tryouts for the AAU league on May 1-2. Juniors and senior are required to bring their transcripts. Everyone must provide proof of age with a birth certificate or other documentation. The tryouts will be at the St. James Sports Center on both days.
Tryout dates
May 1
13U 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
15U 1:30-4 p.m.
16U 4:30-6:30 p.m.
May 2
17 and over
3 p.m.
Juniors and seniors must bring academic transcripts. All athletes must show proof of age. For more information call Ernie Walthour at 884-3016 or 980-4559.
For your information:
Division I 16 Core Course Rule
4 years of English
3 years of math (Algebra I or higher)
2 years of natural/physical science
1 year of additional English, math or natural/physical science
2 years of social science
4 years of additional courses (from any of the above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy).
Division II 14 Core Course rule
3 years of English
2 years of math (Algebra I or higher)
2 years of natural/physical science
2 years of additional English, math or natural/physical science
2 years of social science
3 years of additional courses (from any of the above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy).